Police officials are likely to place a list of demands before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the inaugural day of this year's Police Week, scheduled to begin from Monday.
Police Week will conclude on Friday, February 8, said officials concerned.
The demands include: Upgrading the rank badge of inspector general of police to four-stars, forming a separate division for police in the home ministry, recruiting over one lakh members of police and establishing a separate medical college for them.
This year, a total of 349 members of the Bangladesh police will receive awards for their various outstanding contributions.
Awardees
The awards include Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM), BPM (service), President Police Medal (PPM), and PPM-service medals for carrying out various acts of bravery and heroism, and for contributing to conducting peaceful elections.
501 police officials and members will receive the “IGP Exemplary Good Services Badge,” the second highest prize, during police week.
Theme this year
Sources in the department said the week to be observed has been designed with a special focus on the elimination of drugs and militancy, and thus the theme has been set to “Build unity of police-people, eliminate drugs-militants'.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG-media) at police headquarters, Sohel Rana, told the Dhaka Tribune that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the police week program and all preparations have been made for the purpose.
The demands were discussed at a recent ‘Policy group’ meeting held at Police Headquarters, with IGP Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwari in the chair.
Deputy Inspector Generals and unit heads from a different range of police departments attended the meeting.
Sources said, currently there are over 2,00,000 members of police in the Bangladesh Police. They will demand recruiting another 1,00,000 new members in the next five years.
They plan to propose a separate police department and logistic support, and vehicles.
Wishing anonymity, some police officials said that the scope and responsibilities of police are increasing day by day, and as such, additional manpower is required.
The post of Inspector General of Police (IGP) has to be upgraded to the position of Senior Secretary. Currently, the rank of IGP is three stars, which is not compatible with other forces.
Measures should be taken to modernize the police department by adding new units.
In other countries, police officials are sent on missions to foreign countries. Therefore, members from our police force should be recruited in different embassies and missions.
Remittance plays an important role in Bangladesh's economy but there are loopholes in settling the legal problems and rights of expatriates, officials said.
Several police officials said the Awami League government has provided them with several facilities but a shortage of physicians for the police force at hospitals remains. Their demands include establishing a medical college and upgrading the existing hospital at police lines to a 250-bed one, to meet the rising demand for medical aid to the massive force.
Apart from this, they also have a demand for removing their accommodation crisis.
They were asked to highlight activities of the Police Help Line, the National Emergency Services- 999, IGP Complaint Cell, Women and Child Friendly Police, Community Policing, etc. during this year’s police week.
Recipients of medals
According to sources at police headquarters, RAB Director General (DG) Benazir Ahmed, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, Additional Commissioner of DMP, Monirul Islam, among others, will receive 349 Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM), BPM- service, President Police Medal (PPM), and PPM-service.
Among them, 40 policemen will receive the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and 62 will receive the President's Police Medal (PPM).
Apart from this, 104 police personnel will receive Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM)-service and 134, Presidential Police Medal (PPM)-service for unravelling the mystery of important cases, controlling crime, for skill development, honesty, and commitment.
501 police officers and members of the police are going to get the second highest prize, the 'IGP Exemplary Good Service Badge,' this year. They will be given this award as recognition of their good work.
